Upgrades at Joker Marchant Stadium Put at Nearly $40 Million

City commissioners were briefed Tuesday on the plans for Joker Marchant Stadium.

Bill Tinsley, the city of Lakeland's liaison to the Detroit Tigers, highlights some of the proposed changes to Joker Marchant Stadium during a city government retreat at The Lakeland Center on Tuesday.

Published: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 10:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 10:25 p.m.

LAKELAND | The proposed upgrades at Joker Marchant Stadium for the Detroit Tigers will cost $35 million to $40 million, city officials said Tuesday.

City commissioners saw an architect's rendering of an upgraded stadium Tuesday with a $15 million concourse in right field that would allow fans to circle the stadium, a $15 million extended grandstand in left field, two new clubhouses, and 500 to 600 new seats at a stadium that now seats 9,200.

Bill Tinsley, the city's liaison to the Detroit Tigers, gave a brief presentation to city commissioners during a retreat at The Lakeland Center.

Previously, Tinsley had provided an estimate of $20 million to $30 million for the upgrade. He said the concourse pushed the price higher.

Tinsley said plans call for the state to pay $20 million toward the project, and the city is in negotiations with the county's sports marketing program, with city officials hoping the county will put up $15 million. The city and Tigers would each pay $2.5 million.

Tinsley said state lawmakers will need to approve a request by Gov. Rick Scott to provide funds for spring training teams in Florida. That bill is currently in the House, Tinsley said.

The county's portion would come from a portion of the bed tax, a levy imposed by the county on hotel stays. The city's portion would be from money made on tickets, ­parking and concession sales.

Currently, the city pays $350,000 a year on its part of the debt for the 2001 renovations.

After Commissioner Keith Merritt heard the figures, he asked Tinsley whether there was a way the city could ease into the addition.

"Is it an all or none proposition?" Merritt asked.

City Manager Doug Thomas said Tinsley was only informing the commissioners about the cost and a new rendering of what the renovated stadium would look like.

Tinsley said commissioners won't be required to vote on the plan for at least six months.

Commissioner Justin Troller said he was excited about the upgrades.

"You don't retain a team without making investments," Troller said.

He said the city will make a return on its investment from ticket and concession sales.

The Tigers have trained in Lakeland for 77 years. The city's current contract with the team ends in 2016.

If lawmakers approve Scott's proposal, the Tigers and the city would be required to sign a 30-year contract to receive the $20 million in funding from the state. Scott made his pledge to fund spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium in March.

After the meeting on Tuesday, Tinsley talked about the upgrades.

The concourse will allow fans to see the game from anywhere in the stadium except behind the center field scoreboard.

The concession areas will be more spread out, allowing additional space inside the stadium, Tinsley said.

The current metal grandstand overlooking left field will be removed and replaced with 3,800 shaded seats that would be an extension of the existing main grandstand.

[ John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588. ]

<p>LAKELAND | The proposed upgrades at Joker Marchant Stadium for the Detroit Tigers will cost $35 million to $40 million, city officials said Tuesday.</p><p>City commissioners saw an architect's rendering of an upgraded stadium Tuesday with a $15 million concourse in right field that would allow fans to circle the stadium, a $15 million extended grandstand in left field, two new clubhouses, and 500 to 600 new seats at a stadium that now seats 9,200.</p><p>Bill Tinsley, the city's liaison to the Detroit Tigers, gave a brief presentation to city commissioners during a retreat at The Lakeland Center.</p><p>Previously, Tinsley had provided an estimate of $20 million to $30 million for the upgrade. He said the concourse pushed the price higher.</p><p>Tinsley said plans call for the state to pay $20 million toward the project, and the city is in negotiations with the county's sports marketing program, with city officials hoping the county will put up $15 million. The city and Tigers would each pay $2.5 million. </p><p>Tinsley said state lawmakers will need to approve a request by Gov. Rick Scott to provide funds for spring training teams in Florida. That bill is currently in the House, Tinsley said. </p><p>The county's portion would come from a portion of the bed tax, a levy imposed by the county on hotel stays. The city's portion would be from money made on tickets, ­parking and concession sales.</p><p>Currently, the city pays $350,000 a year on its part of the debt for the 2001 renovations. </p><p>After Commissioner Keith Merritt heard the figures, he asked Tinsley whether there was a way the city could ease into the addition.</p><p>"Is it an all or none proposition?" Merritt asked.</p><p>City Manager Doug Thomas said Tinsley was only informing the commissioners about the cost and a new rendering of what the renovated stadium would look like.</p><p>Tinsley said commissioners won't be required to vote on the plan for at least six months.</p><p>Commissioner Justin Troller said he was excited about the upgrades.</p><p>"You don't retain a team without making investments," Troller said. </p><p>He said the city will make a return on its investment from ticket and concession sales.</p><p>The Tigers have trained in Lakeland for 77 years. The city's current contract with the team ends in 2016.</p><p>If lawmakers approve Scott's proposal, the Tigers and the city would be required to sign a 30-year contract to receive the $20 million in funding from the state. Scott made his pledge to fund spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium in March.</p><p>After the meeting on Tuesday, Tinsley talked about the upgrades.</p><p>The concourse will allow fans to see the game from anywhere in the stadium except behind the center field scoreboard. </p><p>The concession areas will be more spread out, allowing additional space inside the stadium, Tinsley said.</p><p>The current metal grandstand overlooking left field will be removed and replaced with 3,800 shaded seats that would be an extension of the existing main grandstand.</p><p>[ John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588. ]</p>